Gas Station Robbery: Police Release Suspect Photo

PETALUMA, CA — Police asked for the public's help Thursday to identify a man suspected in a Petaluma gas station robbery.

An employee of the Valero gas station at 5153 Old Redwood Highway called 911 at 3:41 p.m. Wednesday to report the robbery.

The employee told police a man entered the business, locked the doors, and then demanded money by handing the employee a note instructing the employee to put all the money in a backpack.

"Out of fear, the employee complied with the note’s direction and the male subject left the business on foot," Petaluma police Officer Clint Barbour said. "No weapon was seen or threatened during the robbery."

The suspect was described as a 6-foot-1-inch man wearing a bright green facial covering, black clothes, and a black backpack.

The police department released a surveillance photo on Thursday showing the suspect wearing white athletic shoes.

The suspect left on foot and headed east toward a neighboring business, Petaluma police Lt. Matthew Parnow told Patch, adding that the employee was alone in the business when the robbery occurred.

Police said they extensively searched for the suspect but did not find anyone who matched the description.

Police asked any additional witnesses or anyone who recognizes the suspect or has information related to the investigation to contact Officer Arios at larios@cityofpetaluma.org or call the department's non-emergency phone at 707-778-4372.